O Caledonia

A Novel

De: Elspeth Barker

Narrado por: Eilidh Beaton

In the tradition of Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle, a darkly humorous modern classic of Scottish literature about a doomed adolescent growing up in the mid-19th century—featuring a new introduction by Maggie O’Farrell, award-winning author of Hamnet.

Janet lies murdered beneath the castle stairs, attired in her mother’s black lace wedding dress, lamented only by her pet jackdaw…

​Author Elspeth Barker masterfully evokes the harsh climate of Scotland in this atmospheric gothic tale that has been compared to the works of the Brontës, Edgar Allan Poe, and Edward Gorey. Immersed in a world of isolation and loneliness, Barker’s ill-fated young heroine Janet turns to literature, nature, and her Aunt Lila, who offers brief flashes of respite in an otherwise foreboding life. People, birds, and beasts move through the background in a tale that is as rich and atmospheric as it is witty and mordant. The family’s motto—Moriens sed Invictus (Dying but Unconquered)—is a well-suited epitaph for wild and courageous Janet, whose fierce determination to remain steadfastly herself makes her one of the most unforgettable protagonists in contemporary literature.

Excellent narration

The three stars are for the writing and the unfolding of the very end. I could not like the setting or any of the characters. I listened to the audiobook and the narration is superb but overall the story left me feeling bleak and cold.

Dull

Really just dreadfully dull. Some lovely writing (particularly at the beginning), but feels like the same thing being described over and over.

Brilliant!

Fans of Shirley Jackson will fall in love with Janet. A dark story, but fascinating, it brings to mind stories like I Capture the Castle and the Haunting of Hill House. One of the realest and most interesting characters I’ve ever read. I think I’ve never related more to a fictional character, whose internal struggles with humanity are incredibly poignant. Her feelings for animals and books, nature and mythology are probably confusing for some, however they will strike a chord with certain readers and will not soon be forgotten.

Beautiful writing

And beautiful reading. I re listened to many parts several times. Very bizarre story. Very different book.

Disappointing

This story was entertaining and amusing all the way up to the jarring ending which did not fit at all.

A perfect novel

Don’t read it if you lack the ability to relate to the feeling of being an unloved outcast in childhood. But if you love complicated protagonists who are strange and magical, and if you know about secret longing to be seen and understood, you should absolutely read this.

Excellent prose

The narrator and the writing are fabulous. What the story lacks for me was more than made up by the quirkiness of the characters and the exceptional writing. So many fun sentences, and Janet is a wonderful character.

A great novel .

I recommend reading the novel as well as listening. Beautifully language. As stated on the cover, one of the best novels of the 20th century that few people have read!

Great narration, less enthusiastic about the story

All the makings of a dark novel mystery - the Scotland scene setting is a high point. But I found the characters hard to like (many are awful, which was probably the author’s goal) and wasn’t able to get into the story.

Protagonist’s attitudes throughout story were inexplicable, and not plausible.

Narrator’s voice, terrible story , unlikeable protagonist. Not entertaining at all. No more worth speaking about.